The courses on strategies and concepts for rural areas at the Landuni in recent semesters have not only encouraged students to get involved locally, but have also produced concrete project proposals that were ultimately followed through to implementation. In this way, practical teaching that combines theory and reality and challenges students' creativity as well as their planning and technical skills is put into practice.
The students followed an open, results-orientated process, from brainstorming and coordination with landowners to the public presentation. Their task was to convince us teachers and the local partners of the feasibility of their ideas. This discourse was essential: concepts were designed, scrutinised, adapted and further developed. With a great deal of initiative, as a team and often individually, we planned, built, bricked, screwed, planted, activated and tested 1:1. It was redesigned, repurposed, travelled, negotiated, printed, presented and celebrated.
From brainstorming and consultation with landowners to the public presentation, the students followed an open, results-orientated process. Their task was to convince us lecturers and the local partners of the feasibility of their ideas. This discourse was essential: concepts were designed, scrutinised, adapted and further developed. With a great deal of initiative, as a team and often individually, we planned, built, bricked, screwed, planted, activated and tested 1:1. It was redesigned, repurposed, travelled, negotiated, printed, presented and celebrated.
The partnership-based cooperation with municipalities, businesses, institutions and citizens was particularly valuable. These collaborations enabled the provision of resources - from building materials to milk cans and books - and the active participation of the local population in the planning and implementation process.
In this way, the projects developed were not only made visible and tangible on paper, but also in reality. Spatial planning became perceptible and tangible.
The following seven projects were realised as prototypes and exemplify the commitment and innovative strength of our students. They are the results of a process that shows that sustainable developments in rural areas can be initiated through practice-orientated teaching and cooperation between the university and the region.
More information can be found in the broschure, opens an external URL in a new window (only available in German).
© Theresa Wörndl
Außenansicht Pop-Up-LanduniBüro
At the final event on site, which took the form of a tour of the projects, there was lively interest from the public. “It's great that the landuni is becoming visible and that we can make concrete use of its results,” commented mayor Robert Feldmann. A big thank you to everyone who motivated and supported the students in their projects. May such exercises, in which courses change a piece of the real world, continue to succeed in the future.
The teaching team:
Alexander Bauer, Elias Grinzinger, Bardo Hörl, Karin Standler, Sibylla Zech
The following implementation projects were developed in the winter semester 2024:
© Alexander Bauer
Repräsentation im Leerstand
the future landuni office!
LANDUNI OFFICE
Representation in the emptiness
Group: Florian Vogel, Theresa Wörndl
The landuni office is to be relocated from the castle to a central vacant building in the village. This will create an informative and welcoming space that promotes exchange between students and locals and at the same time sets an example against vacancy.
© Leon Seger
Begegnungsort für Drosendorf
Work in progress at the little landuni suqare
LITTLE LANDUNI SQUARE
Meeting place in Drosendorf (Lower Austria)
Group: Leon Seger, Florian Rabl
A new meeting place was created in collaboration with the municipality and committed locals. With seating, fruit trees, a bicycle service station and a bookcase, the square offers space for relaxation and exchange.
© Alexander Bauer
The landuni office
YOUTH CENTER
reactivated
Group: Leah Anders, Maria Oikonomou, Andreas Müller
In Drosendorf, the abandoned youth center is to be revived with the design of a modern, interactive dartboard. The low-threshold game invites people of all ages and genders to have fun and sets an example for a lively meeting place and a dialog about the needs of young people in Drosendorf.
© Alexander Bauer
book bench
BOOK BENCH
reading and sitting in one
Group: Camilla Tragni, Anna Neururer
A new seating area in the Drosendorf pavilion not only offers a comfortable place to wait for the bus, but also the opportunity to browse through and swap a variety of books. The combination of bench and bookshelf encourages interaction between residents, stimulates conversation and makes waiting for the bus even more pleasant.
© Alexander Bauer
exhibition
RETHINKING VACANCIES
Exhibition
Group: Lauretta Adamer, Lisa Schneider
The vacant ground floors in Drosendorf and Langau tell exciting stories. The exhibition shows how vacancies shape communities and what opportunities they offer. The project invites people to develop creative ideas and work together to create a vibrant town center.
© Alexander Bauer
the mobile wood-fired oven
WOOD-FIRED OVEN
Mobilized
Group: Todor Andonov
Before the smartphone, fire was at the center of social life, which the oven tries to remind us of. Mounted on a sturdy, rollable wooden frame, the pizza oven combines mobility and stability - ideal for sociable moments.
© Sibylla Zech
exhibition
THE ANGER REMEMBERS
Zabernreith
Group: Stephanie Urbaniak
The “Der Anger erinnert” project revives the memory of the demolished milk house in Zabernreith and the rural character of the village. A piece of the community disappeared with the demolition. Conversations with local residents, historical research and collected memories form the basis for the project. The exhibition can be seen in the Zabernreith fire station.
© Stephanie Urbaniak
Milk cans for the reminder concept